Ableton Forum

Hey guys!

Is there some way for a slave Live to recover midi clock sync after a midiclock drop-out/loose, or after a virtual midi port add/change (ie. restarting a max/msp app that creates a new virtual midi port)?

It seems the only way is to stop then play master Live, and this is not good for live performance.

Alos any body here has tried an alternative sync method using max4live for example?

Thanks!

I am afraid not.
But you should search for precise documentation of what is really midi sync (which bytes refer to play, stop, bars, etc...), it may be possible to find a way to send a correct message if needed. Just an idea.

I've used MTC (Midi Time Code) to sync 2 instances of Live on different computers.
Since Live can't run as MTC master I've used Logic as master to sync both Live as slaves.
With this setup, after connection failure the remote slave automatically continues playing.

However, MTC doesn't transmit tempo information, in contrast to Midi clock.

Broc, I was thinking on create some device using max/msp and use it for that purpose (Master), anyway having both Live apps as slave doesn't sounds good to me, time tends to oscillate too much on Live when in slave mode, with some synth lines and some arps running is ok, but not on the main drums, bass, etc.

Chapelier, I'll do that, I will analyse which data is sent from Live Master when you press play, then I'll create a device on max/msp to send the same data and see if that makes Live to get right synched.

I'll keep you posted.

donne, problem solved with a very simple MAX patch and a clip on Live master to reset the clock, I will put something here soon.

Nice !

Ableton just did a terrific work in what concerns to MIDI clock , anyway there are still some situations that can complicate things when playing live.

Restarting an USB device/software that changes your MIDI port configuration, or just noise on the electric line could make your Live slave application being out of sync, and when that happens the only way to recover your sync is to stop/play the master Live application...

...or you can use this resync.app tool

resync.app is an OSX app created on Max/MSP. It runs on the Master system and acts as a gate for the MIDI clock signal. Controlled by a MIDI clip on the master Live application, it will cut the MIDI clock signal then send a stop message, and right away in the next bar it will send a play message and release the MIDI clock signal. As a result of this, the slave Live application will get again in perfectly sync with the master, without the need to stop/start the master Live application.

http://gbravetti.com/resync

Happy slaving!

Glad it was simple as this !

Gustavo - you are a legend!

@chapelier fou: yeah I'm glad too!

@stallos: thanks for the support!

Just a video of the resync tool, hope you like it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9JUJag4jZ0

This is great, thanks so much for sharing your solution.
I had this problem playing a gig the other night - my hardware stopped and I couldn't quite get it to sync right again without stopping and starting ableton.
Strange that there's not a built-in way to do this, but great to have a workable solution.
Thanks!

fcb,
you are welcome!